Whether you’re a parent seeking further involvement in your child’s chosen sport, or an athlete or coach looking to gain a new perspective on your craft, officiating is a great way to appreciate and learn about athletics when you don’t want to run, jump, or throw. Find out more below.

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Phillipa Hajdasz can add World Youth medalist to her national under-18 pole vault champion accolade, after winning silver at this morning’s IAAF World Youth Championships.

“It’s all I wanted, I didn’t even think I’d get that,” Hajdasz said.

“I was so nervous, every jump I felt so sick, I looked at all the others and that calmed me down”, Hajdasz said.

Hajdasz had a clear slate in the final after clearing the first three heights of 3.70m, 3.85m and 3.95m on her first attempt. She then went on to clear her personal best height of 4.00m, finishing with a highest clearance of 4.05m.

Walker Jemima Montag stepped up to the line in the 5000m walk this morning. After spending a large portion of the race at the top end, she eventually finished 11th with a time of 23:46.57.

“I tripped so many times, the experience was overwhelming, you know they start off slow and that’s different, we usually start off nice and just keep it, where this was like 4.40 and, as prepared as you are there is nothing you can do,” Montag said.

Fellow teammate and training partner Kyle Swan, didn’t have the race he was expecting after finishing 33rd in the 10,000m walk. He crossed the line with a time of 50:42.45.

Frankston athlete Ned Weatherly has this morning taken home BRONZE after his throw of 77.60m at the IAAF World Youth Championships. After a surprise exit in the qualifying round of the shot put, it was clear that Weatherly was out to redeem himself in the hammer throw.

“It’s a world championships and I’ve come third, I can’t describe it really I’m still on such a high,” Weatherly said.

“About a month ago I didn’t even know if I was going to be here, I was in the hospital with a suspected brain bleed, to come here after all of that, injuries, doubts and win bronze, I can’t believe it,” Weatherly said.

Ned showed that he is ready for these international competitions, by consistently being able to perform at a level close to his best. All of his attempts were within a few metres of each other, throwing 77.00m, 77.57m, 76.05m, 77.60m and 77.18m.

“I’ve got to take the experience from here and remain consistent in my throws, all my career I’ve been a very up and down thrower and tonight I’ve showed myself, no one else, I can definitely do it,” Weatherly said.

With the experience of last year’s Youth Olympic Games, Weatherly thrived in the big stadium atmosphere in Colombia.

“I’ve competed in big stadiums before, but not with that South American love for sport, I’ve never heard something so loud”, Weatherly said.

Day two of competition in Colombia for the 2015 World Youth Championships saw three Victorian athletes compete in their respective events. Phillipa Hajdasz in the pole vault and Ned Weatherly in the hammer throw both progressed to the next round, whereas Danielle Shaw was knocked out after her fourth place finish in the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles.

Frankston athlete Ned Weatherly’s second round throw of 77.49m meant that he automatically qualified for the final of the event.

“It definitely feels good as it didn’t feel like a good throw and I know I’ve got a lot more in me and I’m really excited for the final”, Weatherly said.

Phillipa Hajdasz also made it through to the final after a highest clearance of 3.90 metres. She had a near perfect competition, with first round clearances on heights 3.70m, 3.80m and 3.90m.

“I was really nerves, the crowd was going crazy, it’s good and I’m so happy,”

“The other girls are really good, but, it gives me a little bit of confidence (going into the final).” Phillipa said.

Hurdler Danielle Shaw stepped up to the blocks for the second time these championships, this time for the semi-final of the 100m hurdles. She finished fourth in her semi-final with a time of 13.59 (w: +0.7), finishing 11th overall for the championships.

“That felt really good, I hit like the second last hurdle, but, came off it all right, it just wasn’t there at the end,” Shaw said.

Shaw will be better for the experience and post a break will turn her attention to qualifying for next year’s world junior championships.

“My heat was crazy when I was out there, it’s a massive stadium and I loved the atmosphere, it’s all I want, a good atmosphere and I’ll run good,” Shaw said.

The 2015 World Youth Championships in Colombia began in the early hours of the morning, with captain and Victorian athlete, Ned Weatherly being the first Australian to compete. With a solid first throw of 17.62m on the board, Ned stepped into the ring for his second attempt with the aim of throwing a distance closer to his 19.47m personal best. However, fouled in the attempt. With one throw to go and knowing that his current 13th position meant that he wouldn’t qualify for the final, he had to leave nothing in the ring. His final throw of 18.31m wasn’t enough to make it into the final, finishing 26th overall. Ned will now turn his attention to the Hammer Throw, which takes place tomorrow.

Danielle Shaw has automatically secured her spot in the semi final of the 100m Hurdles, after an impressive run in the heat. With a great start out of the blocks, Danielle was able to hold onto her position with the first few athletes, eventually crossing the line third.

Amelia Mazza-Downie was our first athlete to take to the track in the distance category. After a strong domestic season she was looking to have a strong performance at these championships. Amelia was unable to hold onto the pack and was forced to run a large portion of the race on her own. She ended up finishing in 14th place with a time of 10:00.05, and although she didn’t run a personal best, the experience she gained from the race will be invaluable, with a bright future ahead for her in athletics.

That concludes our athletes performances for day one of competition in Colombia. Tomorrow three of our athletes will be competing. Both Ned and Danielle will be back in the Hammer and 100m Hurdles respectively, whilst Philipa Hajadasz will be heading down the run way in the Pole Vault.